Liverpool vs Everton: No Verified Lineup Naming Hugo Ekitike or Mac Allister Yet

By Siyabonga

There’s a lot of noise about Liverpool’s expected team for the Merseyside derby, with some headlines naming Hugo Ekitike and Alexis Mac Allister as starters. So far, there is no verified team sheet for the Liverpool vs Everton clash on September 20, 2025. What the search results actually show are broad match predictions and betting tips, not credible lineup leaks or official confirmations.

This is classic derby week confusion. A big game builds hype, a few speculative graphics start circulating, and suddenly an unverified XI is treated like gospel. If you’re trying to figure out who really starts, keep your powder dry. Official lineups land one hour before kickoff. Until then, anything else is guesswork—no matter how confidently it’s packaged.

What we actually know

The fixture date is set. The rest is either informed context or pure speculation. Alexis Mac Allister is a central figure for Liverpool. Since arriving in 2023, he’s been used both as a deep playmaker and a more advanced midfielder, trusted to control tempo and win the ball back with smart pressing. If he’s fit, he’s typically in the conversation to start. But that’s probability, not confirmation.

Hugo Ekitike is the name that raises eyebrows. He’s a quick, direct forward who thrives on running the channels and attacking space. Including him in a predicted XI would be notable for Liverpool, which is why his name is popping up in rumor-driven posts. But there’s no official team sheet naming him as a starter. Treat any claim that he’s in the XI as provisional until the club publishes the matchday squad.

One practical reminder: lineup information you can trust usually comes from club channels, the league’s official feed, or the broadcasters’ team sheets. Everything else—especially screenshots of “probable XIs” without a clear source—belongs in the maybe box. You’ll get confirmation one hour before the whistle, not the night before.

Managerial context matters too. Under Arne Slot, Liverpool’s midfield has leaned on pace of circulation, aggressive counter-pressing, and quick wide combinations. That style tends to suit Mac Allister’s intelligence and range of passing. Whether Slot leans into a front three with a natural runner in behind, or prefers a more possession-heavy approach, will decide which forwards even have a shot at starting. It’s another reason why dropping a fringe name into a predicted XI without evidence is risky.

Tactics, trends and the betting chatter

Derbies blow up tidy narratives. One week you expect a chess match; then a fast early goal turns it into chaos. Still, some patterns are worth watching. Liverpool usually try to squeeze the middle third, win turnovers, and attack the half-spaces. Their full-backs or wingers often create the width and the overloads. Set-pieces are a quiet weapon—corners and second balls have decided plenty of these.

Everton tend to lean on compact shape, direct transitions, and set-pieces of their own. If they can drag Liverpool into aerial duels and messy moments, they’re in business. The battle for second balls around the edge of the box will be loud and physical. If Mac Allister starts, his positioning when Liverpool lose possession—whether he sits deeper or steps to the ball—will be a tell for how Slot wants to manage Everton’s counters.

On the betting side, the usual markets are buzzing: both teams to score, goals totals, cards, and corners. But derbies are volatile. A quick red, an early injury, or a VAR swing can flip what looked like a tight under into a frantic over. If you’re following the odds, track how they move in the final 24 hours—especially after team leaks get priced in. Just remember: reliable team news locks in late.

One more wrinkle: the calendar. Late-September fixtures often arrive right after an international window. That means players can return with heavy minutes, jet lag, or minor knocks that aren’t fully disclosed. Rotations and late assessments happen. A player’s status can change from “expected to start” to “not in the squad” after a morning fitness test. That’s why it’s smart to hold fire on any lineup certainty until the club drops the list.

What should you watch before kickoff?

• Manager pressers: not just quotes, but what isn’t said. If a coach dances around an injury, that’s a clue.
• Training photos: who’s in full drills versus individual work or absent entirely.
• Trusted team reporters on matchday: they’ll flag early whispers, but still treat it as tentative.
• One-hour mark: official team sheets. That’s your green light.
• Late context: warm-up withdrawals and last-minute tweaks can still reshuffle the bench.

So where did the Ekitike-and-Mac-Allister-starting line come from? Likely a mashup of fan graphics, algorithm-chasing headlines, and generic preview templates. It happens every big week. The fix is simple: separate projections from proof. Right now, we have projections. Proof comes when the referee checks his watch and the teams are up on the stadium boards.

For now, file the talk of Ekitike starting under “unconfirmed,” pencil Mac Allister in as a probable based on role and fitness history, and keep an eye on the final hour before kickoff. We’ll update once the teams are official.